Friction-gearing.



J. A. MOLAUGHLIN.

PRIGTION GEARINGl APPLICATION FILED 1113.1, 1912.

Patented Aug. 20, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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J. A. MULAUGHLIN.

FRGTION GEARING.

APPLICATION FILED IEB. I, 1912.

Patented Aug. 20, 1912.

2 SHEBTSJ-SHEET 2.

UNITED sTllTns PATENT `orrrcn.,

.1A-MESA. 'MCLAUGHLIM orvoDuM, GEORGIA.

rRrcTIoN-GEARING.

' To all whom t may concern:

tion.

Beit known thatl I, J MES A. 'MGLAUQH- LTN, a. citizen of the UnitedStates, Vresiding at Odum, in the county of Vayne and State ofGeorgia,have invented certain new and'. usefullmprovements 1n Friction-Gearing;

and` I .do declare the following to be la full, clear,y and exactdescription f the invention, such as l,will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the' saine.

This invention relate's to machine elements, and more particularly tofriction gearing; and the object of the same is to produce atransmission mechanism more espcially applicable to gasolene engines andthose usually employed on motor vehicles and the like, whereby the powerof the driving shaft maybe transmitted to the driven element' atl't-hedesired speedin a f rward direction or a low speedV in a reverse direc-A further object is to construct transmis#l sion Imechanism ofthischaracter so that the'speed 'can be changed gradually and yet 'instantlystopped at any time, rather than step, by step as with the transmissionmechanisms employing gears and now 1n common use.`

YAfurther object is to render it impossible "for the operato-r tovchange from areverse drive to a directV at any speed-f the latterexcept the lowest, or from any speed of the direct drive except itslowest to the reverse drive. r

'Af further object is'to provide a connection between the adjustingmechanism for coutrolling the speed on the direct drive, and the settingmechanism'for actuating there-` verse drive, whereby'it-- will beimpossible for the operator under any circumstances to engageboth drivessimultaneously withv the driving cone. Y y 4 These and other-objects arecarried out by the embodiment hereinafter more ful-ly- SpecatiomofLetters Patent, Patented Aug, 20,1912. Ap'ineatqn filed February 1,1912. serial No. 674,646.

4 is a sectional detail on the line of .F ig. 2, and Fig. 5 is a bottomplan view of the parts shown in said detail. Fig. 6 is a side elevationof the controlling mechanism, f

more particularly' illustrating the lever for producing the variablespeeds and the re-L verse drive. Fig. 7 is a section on about the line7-7 of Fig. l. 'Fig 8 is a sectional detail on the line 84-8 of Fig. 6.

ln the drawings the letter P designates the power shaftwhich We mayassume 1s drivenby a gasolene engine (not shown and forming no part ofthe presentinvention), and D is the driven shaft here shown as providedwith a cone'of pulleys C anyone of which may be connected by belting Bwith the machinery to be driven and which also need not be illustrated.My improved transmission mechanism' 1s interposed between the drivingand driven shafts and mounted on a mainframe F having suitable sidebarsandcross bars which neednot be describedv in detail but whose structurewill correspond with the neces, sities of the case. The power shaft Pisgeared as at` l to a stub shaft 2 at the apex of a 8o hollow cone 3,thestub shaft being mounted inv a bearing l and the larger rear end of thecone being preferably mounted in a ball lbearing 5. whereof the ballsare removable from the race 6 through an opening at one 85 and said raceis supported Ain any suitable manner by one of the cross bars-oftheframe F. Mounted also on said fra-me is a substantially diamond-shapedplate 10 constituting a guide for thecarriage tobe described below, thesame being provided with parallel slots l1 and 12 along its edgesconstituting the tracks of said guide and 1standy 'side of the samenormally closed by plug 7,

ing parallel'withithe inner wallof the hol-"'95 slotted as at lei 'for apurpose t-o appear be-f low andthe head has a depending pin 15 at oneeXtrem ty-movinglin the :narrower slot l1 of the guide 10 and held fromdis-.v engagement by awasler 16, while the otherextremity of said 'headhas a square block` l'` mounted' loosely inthe wider slot' 12and heldfrom disengagement therefrdrnfbya s washer 18 across its lower end asbest seen in Fig. 4. While the'pin 15 loosely but rather-closelyengages-the slot 11, the block 17 has considerable lost motion or playwithin the slot 12, and a spring 19 secured to the side of this blockpresses it normally outward within the slot toward the wall of the cone3 for a purpose to appear below.

Rising from the head of the carriage 13 are two bearings 20 in which isjournaled a shaft 21, the forward end of the same having a beveledfriet-ion wheel 22 which the tension of said spring 19 throws normallyinto forciblecontactwith the inner wall of the cone 3, and the rear endof said shaft having a gear wheel 23 in constant mesh with another gear24 lwhose grooved hub 25 is splined on an oblique shaft 26 suitablymounted in fixed journals on the frame F. This oblique shaft isconnected in any suitable way with the driven element, as byintel-meshing gears 27 as shown in Fig. 1; and in order that the gears23 and 24 shall remain ineonstant mesh, a fork 28 has its stem mountedon the carriage 13 and its armsengaging the grooved huh 25 of the gear24 so that the latter is slid along the shaft 2G when the carriage isadjusted by the vmechanism hereinafter described.

The mechanism thusfar described transmits power from the shaft P to thedriven shaft D in one direction only and at the desired speed, becausewhen the carriage 13 is adjusted to the left from the full linedposition shown in Fig. 2 the friction wheel 22 is made `to contact withthe inner wall of the cone 3 nearerthe apex of the latter and the speedof the driven gear '23 and hence of the driven element D is reduced, butwhen the carriage is adjusted to the: right the friction wheel 22 is setfarther toward the open rear end of the cone 3 whose wall at thispointbeing larger around-must rotate more rapidly, and this rapid.movement is communicated to the driven'element. I have illustrated inFig. 1 in full lines the carriage. set

, at an intermediate position, and in dottedlines only the shank of thecarriage with its slot 14 and a sectional illustration, numbered 100, ofthe lower end of an operating lever which engages said slot and whoseconstruction will be set forth hereinafter; but it is obvious that assaid end 100 is moved to the left or to the right in Fig. 1 the entirecarriage will be slid along upon the guide land the speed will beadjusted, but as said end 100 is moved toward the top of this figure ofthe drawing until it contacts with the upper extremity of the slot 14,the entire carriage 13 will be swung around its pivotal support 16slightly so that the block 17 will be moved in the wider slot 12 againstthe tension of the spring 19 and the face of the friction wheel 22 willbe thrown out of contact with the inner wall of thel cone 3 so thatpower will be no longer communicated from the latter to the drivenelement D through this transmission mechanism.

The reverse mechanism of this improved device will nowibe described.

Secured around the cone 3 near its apex is a fixed friction collar 30,with which is adapted to contact t-he face of a rather large frictionwheel 31 that is mounted fast on a shaft journaled in bearings 33 slidinon guides .34 and borne normally away rom the cone 3 by springs 35; andsaid shaft carries a bevel friction wheel 38 adapted to make contactwith another beveled friction wheel 37 that is fast on the driven shaftD at the opposite end thereof from the direct drive wheel 27. By thisconstruction and arrangement of parts, it will be clear that when theystand as seen in Fig. 1 the friction wheels 3l and 3S are out of contactrespectively with the collar 30 and the reverse friction wheel 37; butwhen said shaft 32 with the parts carried thereby is moved bodily inwardtoward the cone, the collar 3()A on the latter rotates the largefriction wheel 31 and through the shaft 32 the bevel friction wheel 38,and said wheel 3S turns the driven shaft D in the opposite direction sothat a reverse drive is secured. Here again, any suitable means may beemployed for moving the shaft 32 and its journal boxes 33 over tact withthe inner face of the cone, :md u

reverse drive at a slow .sneed may be obv tained by throwing thefriction wheel 31 into contact with the collar 30. lint in order torender the device absolutely safe so that as the operator adjusts theforwardspeed slower and slower hc may come to a full stop und then throwin the reverse. drive, I provide the interior of the cone 3 with anannular groove 40 near itsA apex and into which the face of the frictionwheel 32 pushed when the carriage 13 hasbee|1 adjusted to the slowestspeed of the forward drive.

The operating mechanism for this improved friction geariug' will nowI bedescribed, especial reference being had toSh'eet 2 of the drawings.

Mounted on the frame F at any suitable place is a standard S carrying atits upper end a head 41 having a transverse groove 42 and through itsbody a horizontal hole 43 intersecting the center of said groove; andadjacent said head is disposed a block L14 having a V-shaped rib 45adapted to engage saidgioove and a stud or bolt 46 passing throughsaidhole asbest seen 1in, Fig. 8.

Bacljof the head Vthis stud carries a collar 47, and between the'latte-rand the head is an expansive spring 48 whereby the rib 45 isthrownnormally into engagement with the groove 42 as seen in Fig. 6..The block 44 carries a toothed sector 49 rising rigidly therefrom andhas a pin 50 projecting from its base atl the center of the varc onwhich the curved edge offsaid sector is struck, and on said pin is'mounted y,the main lever 10() whose upper c'ndhas a handle 51` andfearries a thumbalatch engaging the teeth ot' saidr sector in Wellknownmanner,A and whoselower end is adapted'to Aengage the slot 14 inthecarriage 13' as set forth above.

By the construction described, said lever mayswllglroinfleftright andfrom right to left as seen in Fig. 6 asit'turns around vthe pin 505 'andmay be locked by the thumb latch in any position to which it is set;anal` ,..tical will engage the center of the slot 41 as shown in fulllines int-his view, and

Whenfthe lever is swung to either side on its y pivot-Ofits lower endwill still engage the n riage 13 but the latter will to the right. .orto the left las seen in Fig. 1

slot 14 in the yshank of the -T-shape'd carbe moved either in dotted'linesgand it follows that moveA ment ofthehandle 51of the lever-10() to.right or'left will adjust the carriage to left.

. or right and therefore produce slower speed or higher speedrespectively. But if the handle is moved to tlie "extre1ne right thefriction Wheel 22` will be movediinto the groove and therefore entirelyout of con- .tact with ,the inner wall of the cone 3 and the parts ofthis device will come vto rest.

Depending.y from and rigidly secured to the outer end of the stud 46 isan arm, 60

whose lower end is connected by a link '61 with yan arm 62 which risesfrom r rock shaft/63 journaled insuita/ble/bearings- :id

jacent the shaft 32 ofthe reversingmeeha. nism, and said shaft v63'hasdepending'from it a pair of forks 64 which loosely rembrace the shaft 32as indicated in Fig. 7. By this.

construction, when the handle 51 vof the main lever 100- is movedtothel, right or lettl as seen in Fig. 7 the rock shaft- 63 is oscil`bearings `and its t'nrlrs 64 movev lated in its .parts are so ablemovement of the handle 51 of the main the pa rtsnormally .farther in:order to cumstances.

that it the shaft 32 and its journal boxes 33 along their guides 34 sothat the reversing mecha.- nism is thrown into or out of operation,according towhich way the main lever is moved.A f

By this constructioniandconnection of parts it will' be obvious that,in' order t0 actuate the reversing mechanism, the lever must be moved ina plane at right angles to that in which it is moved in orderto adjustthe speed'of the. forward drive, and as soon as the operators hold onthe handle'l 1s released, the spring 48 restores itl to an I uprightposition so that the reversing mechanism' 1s thrown out of action. Butthe proportioned that a considerlever is necessary to rock the shaft G3sutliciently to engage the reverse mechanism. When the carriage 13Aisadjustedfar to the right in Fig. 1 to produce high speed,` the slot 14stands as there shown in dotted soA lines andthe lower en d of the leveris adjacent its upper end; it is impossible at 'this time `to produce areverse connection;- of parts,for if the handle 51 were moved in the.

proper direction the lower end 100 of the lever would move upward inth-isview` and the only result. would he that'thefriction Iwheel 22would be thrown out of Contact 'with the inner face of the cone 3 sothatthe transmission mechanism would comete rest. When the parts vstandas'seen in full lines F1g.1 so as to produce a medium speed in in aforward direction, it. is still impossible for the operator tomanipulate the main l'ever so as to engage the reverse mechanism, anditis obvious that he would have to swing the handle of the main levereven bring the transmission mechanism to astop. But when the-'parts havebeen adjusted tos produce low speed in a forward direction sothat theslot, 14 stands in the left hand dotted position in Fig. l, it ispossible that he could swing the main lever sufficiently to throw thefriction wheel QQ'out of contact with the inner face of the cone 3 andthus bring the transmission` mechanism to a stop, and also bring thereverse mechanism into play. However,

yit is the intention thatv the parts. sha-ll `loe so proportioned thatthe operatorwill adjust the speedl slower vand slower until thelfriction Wheel 22 is pushed into the groove 40, before he' throws thereverse mechanismk into action, and this will, in fact, be the naturalcourse of events under ordinary cir- Thus it will bey seen thatf haveproducedan operating mechanism for this improved transmission mechanismby means of which a single lever7 is employed. to 'produce anydesiredspeedin aforward I direction or a slow speed in a reverse directiombutwherein the construction is such is impossible forthe operator to gofrom a high speed forward to any speed e ried ont successfully,

reverse or even from a medium speedlforward into a reverse, andtherefore he is compelled to slow down the speed of his transmissionmechanism beforethrowin in the reverse. This is obviously highlyesirable,

because if the device were for instance applied to an automobile orconnected u with any heavy piece of machinery whic had considerablemomentum, it -would be dan gerous for an unskilled or careless operatorto suddenly change the direction of rotation of the power applied tosaid automobile or machine. Alsoit will be seen that by thisconstruction'it is necessary that the speed be adjusted from high tomedium and from medium down to slow and very slow. before the frictionwheel QQ'comes into the groove 40 and the parts come torest.

I desire it understood that the embodiment of my idea herein describedand illustrated is merely given for the purpose of showing one meanswhereby it may be carand I reserve the `right to make such changes indetails as come within the spirit of my invention. Moreover, the exactsizes, shapes, proportions and materials `of parts are not essential tothe successful operation of the whole.

What is claimed as new is:

l. In a friction gearing, the combination with a hollow cone whose wallhas an annular groove in its inner face near its apex, and connectionsbetween said cone and t-he power mechanism; of a carriage mounted onguides within the cone on a line parallel with ene side of its wall,means for adjusting the position of said carriage, a shaft jonrnaled insaid carriage and carrying a frietionwheel, means for forcing the latterinto contactwith the inner wall of the cone` and eomiections betweensaid shaft and the driven element.

f3. In a friction gearing, the coinl'iination with a hollow cone -whosewall has an annular groove in its inner face n lar its apex, andconnections between said cone and the power mechanism; of a carriagemovable on guides within the cone on a line parallel with one side ofits wall, a shaft journaled in said carriage and carrying a 'frictionwheel, a spring forcing said friction wheel normally into contact withthe inner wall of the cone. means for manually moving this wheel in theopposite direction to throw it on! of Isaid contact, means for adjustingthe position of the carriage,and connections lwtween the shaft and thedriven element.

I3." lin a friction gearing, the combination witl. a hollow rotary concconnected with the power mechanism, and a fixed plate therein liaviiigguidesl parallel with the inner tace of the wall of said cone at oneside; ol a carriage having a pin loosely engaging one guide and a bl ock- ..engaging and narone end mounted pivotal (y contact with the wallof the cone, and

.in said guide, and a shaft mounte `ing 'in movable bearings and rowerthan the other, a spring carried by said block within the last-named ideand pressing the block normally towar the wall of the cone, a shaftjournaled in said carriage and connected with the driven element, afriction wheel on the shaft and borne by said spring normally intocontact with the cone, means for swinging the carriage to overcome thetension of said spring an j move the friction wheel out of contact andmeans for'adjusting the with the cone,

its guides, for the position of the carriage in purpose set forth.

4. In a frictiongearing, the combination with a hollow rotary coneconnected with and rotated on its axis by th'e power mech anism, and twofixed l cone paralleling each ot er and paralleling the inner face ofthe wall of the cone at one side thereof; of a carriage havingia in atin one gui e and a block at the other en loosely engaging the otherguide, yielding means ressing said block normally toward the wa l of thecone, manual means for pressin the block in the opposite direction, asha t journaled ides within said in saidcarriage on a line parallel`with the j axis of the'cone and connected with the driven element, afriction wheel on the shaft having a beveled face borne normally into4means said carriage bodily on the uides and oblique to the axis foradjust-ing line of said ,of the cone, or the purpose set forth.

5. In a friction gearing, the combination with a rotary cone connectedwiththe owery mechanism, a guide extending paralle with one face -ofsaid cone, a carriage ad'ustablle' in t e carriafre and having afriction wheel at one vend a apted to contact with the cone and a.

beveled gear at the other end; lof an oblique shaft mounted parallelwith said guide and connected with the driven element, a gear whosehubis s'plined on this shaft and whose body engages said bevel gear,said hub h'avinga groove, and a bracket mounted on said Acarriage andhaving a fork en' gaging said groove, for the purpose set forth.

6. In a friction gearing, the combination with a hollow rotary coneconnected with the power mechanism and rotated on its axis thereby, anexternal collar around saidv cone, a carriage adjustable within saidcone on a line along its wall at one side thereof, a shaft journaled inthe carriage and hava friction'wheel at one extremity engaging saidwall, and connections between the other extremity of said shaft and thedriven element; of a bevelvfriction wheel connected with thelatter, areversing shaft mounted having a friction wheel at one end adapted toenfgage the bevel friction wheel und a large friction wheel at the otherend adapted to lengage said collar on the cone, and means for movingthis shaft for the purpose set forth.

7. In a friction gearing, the combination with a cone axially connectedwith and rotated by .the power mechanism, a carriage adjustable withinthe cone parallel with one side of its wall, a. shaft mounted in thecarriage and, connected with the driven element, and a. friction wheelon the shaft adapted to be forced into contact with said wall; of thereverse-driving mechanism connected with said friction element andincluding a friction wheel adapted to be moved into contact with theexterior of the cone, and operating devices connected with said carriageandl reverse mechanism for throwing the latter and the direct drivealternately into operation. 3i

8. In a fri'tion gearing, the combination with a cone axially connectedwith and' rotated by the power mechanism and having an annular groove,and the direct drive mechanism connected with the driven elementl andincluding a friction wheel movable longitudinally along one wall of saidcone into and out of sald groove; of the reverse drive mechanism movableradially and having guides along opposite edges; of

a T-shaped carriage having pins at the extremities of its head movablymounted in said guides and a slot in its shank standin at right anglesto thelength of this hea a shaft journaled in bearings along said headand having a friction Wheel at one end adapted to be borne into contactwith the wall of the cone and connections at its other having one endloosely mounted in said-slot. 10. In a friction gearing, the combinationwith a hollow cone axially connected'with'ti'I and rotated by the powermechanism, alud a' diamond-shaped plate fixed within said Vend with thedriven element, and an op- .erating lever pivoted in thesupport andcone'and having guides along opposite edges; of a- T-shaped carriagehaving pins at the extremities of its head movably mounted in saidguides and a slot `in its shank standing at right angles to the lengthof this head, afshaft journaled in bearings along said head and having afriction wheel at one end adapted to be.borne into contact with thewall, a spring normally producing such contact, connections between theopposite end of the shaft and the driven element, and an operating leverloosely mounted on a xed support with'its lower end engaging said slotand adapted when swung in`one plane to adjust the carria e within saidguides and whenvswung in t e other planeY to throw the friction wheelout of contact with the cone, l i

In testimony whereof I have hereunto s'et my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

JAMES A. MCLAUGHLIN.

Witnesses: f

D. I. CARTER,

W. H. AsHNwALLs.

